Exfoliation is an extremely important step in your skin care routine. For healthy skin, you need to cleanse, moisturize, exfoliate, and tone, in that order. Exfoliation is nothing but removing dead skin cells, dirt, grime, excess oil, and other impurities that may have accumulated on the surface of your skin.
Exfoliation is usually done with the help of store-bought scrubs or natural scrub preparations that will help keep your skin soft, smooth, and supple, as it should be. As your skin ages, cell regeneration slows down considerably, as is natural. In essence, your skin is slow to shed old cells and replace them with newer ones. Thus, adding to the skin cell buildup, which make your skin look dull, drab, rough, and even dry. If this dead skin cell buildup isn’t exfoliated, it results in excess sebum and other impurities getting clogged in the pores, which in turn lead to acne, pimples, and/or blemishes on your skin. Apart from removal of dead skin cells, exfoliation helps in improving your blood flow, thus giving your skin a natural glow and suppleness.
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Exfoliating face scrub recipes
Take a look at some easy to make, homemade exfoliating face scrub recipes here:
1. Baking soda
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Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate, which helps balance the pH of your skin, while also helping exfoliate it thoroughly. It helps in removing dead skin cells, dirt, grime, and other impurities from your skin.
Face scrub
- To 1 tablespoon of baking soda, add enough water to make a fine paste. Slather this on your face and neck, keeping clear of your eyes. Let it stay for about 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water. Repeat this process twice a week to enjoy soft, smooth skin.
2. Chocolate
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Cocoa powder is another ingredient that is an excellent natural exfoliant that is also nourishing for your skin.
Face scrub
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, a quarter cup of brown sugar, one-eighth cup of olive oil, and a quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract to form a granular, runny paste. Apply this on your face and neck, keeping clear of your eyes. Massage it into your skin with your fingertips for a few minutes. Then, let it sit for 20 minutes more, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Use this scrub twice a week for best results.
Tip: Store the leftover scrub in an air-tight container to use as needed.
3. Coffee
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Coffee helps improve your complexion, while additionally, possessing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Face scrub
- Add 1 heaping tablespoon each of coffee grounds and honey, along with 2 tablespoons of ground oats, and a couple of pinches of ground cinnamon. Mix all the ingredients well to form a coarse scrub. Slather this on your face and neck, avoiding your eyes. With clean fingertips, massage it into your skin for a few minutes. Then, leave it on for 20 minutes more, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Use this scrub twice a week for desired results.
4. Honey
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Honey possesses anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties, that make it ideal in combating skin infections and prevent skin eruptions like acne and pimples. Honey, when mixed with other exfoliants, boosts the antioxidant and anti-bacterial benefits.
Face scrubs
- In clean bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of honey with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Apply this on your face and neck, avoiding your eyes. Massage gently with your fingertips for a few minutes. Then, let it stay for 20 minutes, before washing it off with cool water. Pat dry with a soft towel and apply a mild moisturizer to seal in the moisture. Repeat this process thrice a week for best results.
- Add half a cup of fresh blueberries, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 2 tablespoons of sugar in a food processor and blend them into a fine paste. Slather a generous coat on your face and neck, avoiding your eyes. Massage it into your skin for a few minutes. Leave it on for 20 minutes, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Use this scrub twice a week for desired results.
5. Lemon juice
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Lemon juice possesses anti-bacterial properties that help get rid of germs and bacteria that could potentially cause acne and pimples. It also helps in cleansing the pores by removing dead skin cells, dirt, and excess oil, leaving your skin soft and supple. Additionally, lemon juice also contains natural bleaching properties that help lighten your skin tone, while helping get rid of blemishes, dark spots, and acne scars.
Face scrub
- Take 2 teaspoons of lemon juice in a clean bowl and add 1 teaspoon of ground oatmeal and a few drops of rose water to make a smooth paste. Smear this on your face and neck, excluding the sensitive areas around your eyes. Use your clean fingertips to massage it into your skin for a few minutes. Then, leave it on for 20 minutes more, before washing it off with cool water. Pat dry with a soft towel and apply a mild moisturizer. Repeat this scrub once a week for desired results.
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6. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is gently exfoliating, helping get rid of dead skin cells and other impurities from sensitive skin. Additionally, it contains anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties that help nourish your skin.
Face scrubs
- To 1 tablespoon of ground oatmeal, add 2 teaspoons of honey and mix well. Add a few drops of rose water to adjust the consistency. Slather this on your face and neck, keeping clear of your eyes. Massage it into your skin using your fingertips in circular motions. Leave it on for about half an hour, before scrubbing it off with plain water. Use this scrub once a week for desired results.
- Add one-eighth cup each of honey and olive oil to a quarter tup of ground uncooked oats. Mix them well and apply it on your face and neck, keeping it clear of your eyes. Massage it into your skin with your fingertips for a few minutes. Leave it on for 15 minutes more, before washing it off with cool water. Repeat this scrub twice a week for best results.
7. Papaya
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Papaya contains papain, which is a compound that helps lighten your skin tone, while also helping exfoliate your skin.
Face scrub
- Mash a few pieces of ripe papaya in a clean bowl with the back of a fork, so that there are no lumps or chunks in it. To this, add 1 teaspoon each of honey and sugar and mix well. Slather this on your face and neck, massaging it into your skin with your fingertips. Keep clear of your eyes. Leave it on for 15 minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water. Pat dry with a soft towel and apply a moisturizer. Repeat this scrub twice a week for best results.
8. Rice powder
Rice powder is another excellent natural exfoliant that helps get rid of all the dead skin cells, dirt, grime, and other impurities from your skin, leaving it soft, smooth, and supple.
Face scrub
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 tablespoon of rice powder and 2 teaspoons of brewed green tea to make a smooth paste. Spread this on your face and neck, avoiding your eyes. Use your fingertips to massage it into your skin. Leave it on for 20 minutes or so, before rinsing it off with cool water. Repeat this scrub thrice a week for desired results.
9. Sea salt
Sea salt contains many minerals that help in rejuvenating your skin, help your skin retain moisture, and stimulate cell growth. Sea salt is especially good if you have dry skin.
Face scrub
- To 1 tablespoon of sea salt, add a few drops of lavender oil and mix well. Apply this on your face and neck, massaging it into your skin in circular motions using your fingertips. Do this for 5 minutes. Then, let it stay for 15 minutes more, before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this scrub twice a week for best results.
Tip: You can use grapeseed oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, or even olive oil for this scrub.
10. Sugar
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Sugar contains glycolic acid, which promotes new cell production, while breaking down the protein that keeps the dead skin cells adhered to your skin.
Face scrub
- Take 1 tablespoon of sugar in a clean bowl. To this, add enough lemon juice to make a granular paste. Use this to massage your face and neck gently, in circular motions with your fingertips. Do this for 5 minutes. Then, leave it on for 10 more minutes, before rinsing it off with cool water.
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11. Tomato
Tomato contains lycopene, which helps protect your skin against harmful UV rays.
Face scrub
- Blend 1 medium-sized tomato in a food processor into a paste. Scoop it out into a clean bowl and add 1 teaspoon of sugar to this and mix well. Apply this on your face and neck, massaging it into your skin. Let it stay for 20 minutes, before washing it off with cool water. Repeat this scrub twice a week for best results.
These are all the excellent exfoliating face scrub recipes you need to enjoy soft, smooth, and supple skin, anytime, any season. For more updates on skin care, beauty tips, and makeup secrets, subscribe to our newsletter today!
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